The Municipal People’s Congress conducted a research visit to the development of the Wansongtang Chinese medicinal materials industry.

On the morning of October 13, a delegation from the Suizhou Municipal People’s Congress conducted a field visit to assess the development of the Wansongtang Chinese medicinal materials industry. Leaders from the Municipal Health Commission, the Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, the Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Bureau of Commerce, the Market Supervision Administration, as well as officials from Zengdu District and the Zengdu Economic Development Zone, also attended the inspection. Liu Bo, Secretary of the Party Organization of Hubei Wansongtang Greater Health Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., together with the company’s administrative leadership, including Leng Qian, received the visiting delegation.

The research team first toured the company’s production facilities for health‑care teas and solid beverage packaging, gaining an overview of order‑driven manufacturing. Secretary Liu briefed the delegation on this year’s surge in overseas orders, noting that the factory has been operating at full capacity with overtime for nearly six months and is expected to maintain this pace through year‑end. The team then proceeded to the Wansongtang product showroom and meeting room.

Secretary Liu began by inviting the research team to enjoy the company’s song, “A Century of Wansongtang.” He explained that the title “A Century” carries a dual meaning: first, Wansongtang is a time-honored tea house that has carried on the legacy of Wansongyuan from the late Qing and early Republican eras; second, as the company marks its 30th year of development this year, it aims to become a century-old establishment in the greater health industry, thereby expressing the bold spirit of “standing firm at thirty, blossoming in prime years, and setting out once again on a century-long journey.” Secretary Liu went on to note that on October 9, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council issued the “Opinions on Developing New‑Type Productive Forces,” with a particular focus on the new‑type productive forces in the greater health sector—something Wansongtang has long been contemplating and putting into practice. He then invited the research team to listen to another corporate anthem, “Wansongtang’s New‑Type Productive Forces,” which elucidates this innovative approach across six key dimensions: people, machinery, materials, methods, environment, and measurement.

Regarding the development of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) industry, Secretary Liu explained that Wansongtang’s growth strategy is anchored in TCM and its medicinal herbs—specifically, the 106 “medicine–food homology” herbal ingredients approved by the National Health Commission and the 182 novel food ingredients—aiming to advance the greater health industry. The technological approach integrates traditional TCM wellness practices with modern nutritional science, blending time-honored techniques with cutting-edge manufacturing processes. There are three distinct technical pathways: first, a line of health‑promoting teas based on primary processing of TCM raw materials, which constitutes Wansongtang’s “traditional industry” and serves as its initial growth driver; second, dietary‑nutritional supplements—such as powdered drinks and gel‑based candies—leveraging TCM extraction technologies, representing the company’s “modern industry” and its second growth trajectory; and third, precision‑nutrition products rooted in TCM fermentation technologies, including specialized medical foods, which form Wansongtang’s “future industry” and its third growth curve.

Secretary Liu briefed the research team on Wansongtang’s business performance this year. From January to September 2026, the company’s revenue grew by 33% year over year, driven primarily by three key factors: First, the establishment of an Africa Business Unit, which deepened channel development and set up an overseas warehouse in Nigeria to serve the entire African market; additionally, 16 new products successfully obtained NAFDAC registration, steadily boosting the company’s market share across Africa. Second, the company continued to cultivate major clients, jointly breaking into the U.S. market, with its two flagship product lines—nutritional coffee and triangular‑pack health teas—generating significant incremental sales. Third, leveraging cultural branding to support international expansion, Wansongtang employed corporate music, short promotional dramas, and influencer‑driven short videos as cultural communication tools, promoting its brand and product image through overseas social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook.

In terms of leveraging cultural outreach to boost product internationalization, Secretary Liu presented the research team with three signature songs—“Wansongtang Health‑Preserving Tea,” “Wansongtang Nutritional Coffee,” and “Winstown’s Nutritional Gummies.” Secretary Liu noted that, in addition to music‑based marketing, they have also embraced current trends by producing AI‑generated short videos for promotional purposes. Winstown is Wansongtang’s English trademark; it is both a phonetic play on Wansongtang and a nod to “Victory Town.” The company aspires to ensure that wherever Chinese people are, the cultural symbol of Winstown—the “Land of Hope, City of Victory”—will be present. Africa represents a major market for us, and we have specifically created an AI‑driven short series titled “The Little Town Story of Winstown” tailored to this region. Secretary Liu further explained that the latest edition (Version 3.0) of the “Wansongtang Cultural Framework” has been officially released, summarizing and systematizing the company’s 30‑year journey. To ensure the cultural vision takes root, all the management principles and philosophies outlined in the framework will be adapted into branded short‑story videos for promotion.

Addressing current production capacity pressures, Secretary Liu noted that the company is currently undertaking a technological upgrade and expansion project with a total investment of RMB 50 million. The first phase, totaling RMB 15 million, will focus on enhancing quality, boosting efficiency, and expanding capacity for the production of health‑preserving teas, solid beverages, and functional gummies. The second phase will invest in a fermentation project for medicinal‑food‑homologous Chinese herbal materials. The miniaturization of molecular structures, activation of bioactive components, digitalization, standardization, precision nutrition, and resource intensification—hallmarks of this fermentation technology—will represent the ultimate form of the Chinese herbal medicine industry’s global expansion. At present, Wansongtang is participating in a microbial‑industry matchmaking initiative led by the Hubei Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and its joint research with Huazhong Agricultural University on “Key Technologies and Applications for the Efficient Preparation of Novel Protein Bioactive Peptides” has been awarded the Second Prize for Provincial Scientific and Technological Progress.

Secretary Liu concluded by noting that, over the past 30 years of Wansongtang’s development, there have been many moments when all seemed lost—when it appeared there was no way forward—only to find, time and again, a new path opening up amid unexpected opportunities. This remarkable resilience stems from our unwavering conviction to prevail in every challenge. Finally, he invited the research team to join him in listening to Wansongtang’s “battle hymn,” “Let the Spirit of Victory Become a Faith.”

During his field inspection, Yang Huatao, Party Secretary of the Suizhou Municipal Health Commission, shared three key observations. First, after visiting the site, he was deeply impressed to see that the greater health industry is a burgeoning, sunrise sector. Judging from revenue performance between January and September, it has not only matched the rapid growth trajectory of Wansongtang but also underscored the robust momentum of our traditional Chinese medicine industry. Second, embracing the dual-circulation strategy is essential for enterprises. By leveraging external opportunities and partnering with established platforms, Wansongtang has successfully carved out a blue‑ocean path for product exports, steadily enhancing its global reputation. Yet, much like the two wings of a bird or the two wheels of a vehicle, we hope that while Wansongtang’s health‑related products gain traction in overseas markets, they will also capture an even larger share of the domestic market. Third, innovation remains the inexhaustible driving force. With the nation placing great emphasis on cultivating new‑type productive forces and formulating long‑term strategies, Wansongtang must accelerate its transition from extensive, low‑value processing toward high‑quality development to meet these evolving standards. In closing, Secretary Yang pledged that municipal departments will henceforth accord the greater health industry the highest level of attention and priority, while extending even greater care and support to Wansongtang. Together, we will work to foster a favorable business environment and further strengthen Wansongtang as a leading enterprise in the greater health sector, ensuring that it becomes a flagship brand for Suizhou and for Hubei Province.

Zheng Xiaofeng, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Suizhou Municipal People’s Congress, concluded by saying that, through Secretary Liu’s insightful presentation, they had broadened their horizons and gained valuable insights. He noted a strong sense that the enterprise enjoys favorable production and business conditions, fosters a robust corporate culture, and remains closely aligned with national policies, seizing major development trends, capitalizing on opportunities, expanding its markets, and reaching out to the global stage. Today’s fact-finding delegation included representatives from various municipal departments. Participants were encouraged to raise any difficulties or concerns Wan Song Tang may face in its development; these will be compiled and submitted for deliberation at upcoming meetings to better support the enterprise. In closing, Director Zheng emphasized that, while focusing on production and operations, Wan Song Tang must never lose sight of product quality and safety, safeguarding the very lifeline of its products. As Suizhou is the birthplace of traditional Chinese medicine, Wan Song Tang should vigorously develop TCM specialties unique to the local region. Furthermore, the company should strengthen its role in promoting the cultivation of authentic local medicinal herbs and deepen the research, development, and utilization of indigenous Chinese medicinal materials. Finally, Wan Song Tang was urged to further advance innovation, actively integrate into Suizhou’s broader health‑industry development, and achieve dual gains—both economic and social.